Gardening with the RHS A Quiet Beauty: Plants That Carry Us Through the Cold
Dec 23, 2025
Phil Clayton, a passionate writer and plantsman, shares the captivating story of the Wollemi pine, from its near-extinction to its growing presence in gardens worldwide. He discusses the threats it faces and how gardens play a crucial role in its conservation. Tom Christian, a dendrology expert, dives into the diverse ivy family, highlighting its underappreciated beauty and horticultural value. With intriguing insights on garden-worthy species, he reveals how these plants can thrive in British gardens, enriching winter landscapes.
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Discovery Of The Wollemi Pine
- Phil Clayton recounts the discovery of the Wollemi pine in a remote Australian canyon in 1994 by David Noble and trackers.
- The find was carefully protected because authorities feared public disturbance and plant theft.
Ancient Age Hidden Under New Trunks
- The Wollemi pines in the wild number fewer than 100 trunks, but root systems may be thousands of years old.
- Individual root systems could make these among the oldest living trees on Earth.
Gardens As Conservation Banks
- Phil Clayton argues ex-situ cultivation in gardens now matters for species survival as native habitats become unsafe.
- Gardeners worldwide function as a genetic bank for threatened plants like the Wollemi pine.